With the finalization of new regulations by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State (DoS) implementing the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), it is critical that international students in F-1 and J-1 visa classification maintain their legal status in the United States. Students must be aware of and comply fully with the following:

• You must maintain a valid passport at all times, unless exempt from passport requirements.
• You must attend the college/university USICS has authorized you to attend. (The school that issued your I-20)
• You must complete an official immigration transfer whenever you change educational institutions. 
• F-1 students and J-1 students must complete a full course of study during normal enrollment periods (Fall & Spring Terms). If you will not be enrolled full-time (9 credits for graduate students; 12 credits for undergraduates), you must receive authorization/permission from the Designated School Official in the OIS in advance.
• You must apply for an extension of your program of study prior to the expiration date on your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 if you cannot complete your program by that date. F-1 students must complete the OIS form Extending Your Form I-20 and J-1 students must complete the OIS form Extending Your Form DS-2019 for J1 Students.
• You must obtain a new Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 upon changing your academic program from one degree level to another (e.g., from Bachelor's to Master's level), one school to another (e.g., from the School of Medicine to the School of Engineering), or one major/field of study to another (e.g., from Chemical Engineering to Physics).
• You are NOT allowed to work in the United States without authorization.
• F-1 students are allowed to work on campus up to 20 hours per week when school is in session. J-1 students are only allowed to work on campus with their J-1 program sponsor's authorization. If your DS-2019 was issued by an organization other than Temple University you must contact your J- 1 program sponsor directly regarding any type of employment.
• All non-immigrants are required to report  a change of address or name within 10 days of the event.  Currently enrolled F1 and J1 student do so by updating their address in Owlnet. Individuals who are no longer enrolled (OPT) need to send an email to ois@temple.edu.
• You must notify OIS prior to traveling outside the U.S. so that the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 can be endorsed for travel or a new form can be issued, if required. The signature on your I-20 should have been received within 6 months of your re-entering the U.S. Example: If you are re-entering the U.S.  in August 200X, you signature should be no older than March of the same year.
• Use the General Request Form to request immigration documents for your F2 or J2 dependents.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This information is not exhaustive and is subject to change without notice. International students and Scholars should contact the Office of International Services (OIS) at 215 204 7708 to arrange an appointment to discuss any questions or concerns related to your legal status in the United States.

To remain up-to-date on changes in U.S. immigration law and/or changes in OIS policies and/or procedures, to be informed about workshops and training sessions offered by OIS, and much more, please subscribe to the OIS  e-mail listserv for international students and scholars. To subscribe, you simply need go to http://listserv.temple.edu/archives/tu-intl.html.

If you cannot find what you are looking for on this web site, please feel free to contact our office by phone at (215) 204-7708, by FAX at (215) 204-6166, or by e-mail at ois@temple.edu.